New film from “Platzspitzbaby” director is an action drama
Published: Thursday, Feb 8th 2024, 10:20
Updated At: Thursday, Feb 8th 2024, 10:20
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The new film by Pierre Monnard ("Platzspitzbaby") tells the story of a farmer's son. His mother's farm is in financial difficulties. In order to make money, he engages in illegal fights.
The idyllic Jura countryside in which Steve (Maxime Valvini) does his morning training is deceptive. His father died a year ago. Together with his mother, he runs his parents' farm more poorly than well: the mountain of debt is growing and there is a threat of forced sale. His only outlet is swinging. Steve even has hopes of winning the title of Swiss champion. But the main prize is at best a breeding bull.
Steve's brother Joël (Karim Barras) comes up with an audacious idea. After spending time in prison, he has the relevant connections. The financially weak farmer, who is also a talented wrestler, is to take part in illegal fights on the other side of the border in France in order to save his farm. It's not just Steve who risks a lot in the brutal, bare-knuckle fights, but also the movie itself.
Joël's idea is original, both for solving Steve's problems and for the plot of a Swiss movie. The film flirts with martial arts cinema, but remains a serious drama.
Director Pierre Monnard ("Wilder", "Neumatt", "Platzspitzbaby") has found the right leading actor in the wrestler and Jiu-Jitus pro Maxime Valvini. Valvini juggles elegantly between drama and action actor. He is just as convincing in a dramatic family scene as he is in a bloody cage fight. The rest comes naturally - even if the testosterone concentration is a little too high.
"Bisons" will be showing in cinemas in German-speaking Switzerland from February 15.
*This text by Dominic Schmid, Keystone-SDA, was realized with the help of the Gottlieb and Hans Vogt Foundation.
©Keystone/SDA
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